Here is my Testimony!!!

My Testimony is simple.

I was born into a family of six. My father though very loving was a strict disciplinarian- He sure knew how to draw that line. My mum nonetheless was stern yet soft. Sometimes, she was the mediator to daddy and other times she was ‘the soldier’.  We were the average Lagos-based family; Not ‘rich’, certainly not poor. We could afford bread daily from the bakery nearby, clothes at Christmas and our fees though mostly delayed, were eventually paid. We walked to school, had one or two toys and were content.

My father was so much of a giver and many relations saw him as a hero. Even where we had nothing, he would give something. I remember his hearty laughter, his scold-look and the times he would call us one by one after dinner time to ask if we had eaten to satisfaction. Our responses often didn’t matter because he would still request that bread and milk be bought. Daddy ensured there was always food and that the necessary things we needed had to be met.  He sure taught us not to beg and to be content until the next month-end.

In 1999, our father retired from the civil service after 35 years and relocated to the village.  For my sisters and I, this was a cultural shock we had to adjust to. The village which was oftentimes a Christmas holiday ‘adventure’ became our permanent home. Like regular villagers, we walked to the stream every morning to fetch water, journeyed to the farm and back, dried our father’s cocoa when the sun was out and with our lanterns ignited at night, we endured lack of electricity. We got used to these. When our secondary school in Calabar closed for the holidays, we travelled home to Etomi village, where daddy and mummy were.

Daddy died of a heart attack in 2006 and we were devastated. We feared, “How do we begin?” “Where do we turn to?” “Who will provide for us?” And every time we asked ourselves these questions, we realized there were no feasible answers. Our bread-winner was gone and we could find no other source. Having been totally dependent on daddy, we realized we had lost him sooner that we would have expected. We wept, but in all our mourning, one thing we never stopped doing was to encourage ourselves. Indeed, this was a time we identified with bible scriptures expounding on God’s promises and ability to take us through troubling times. As we did this, we gradually turned to Him as our source and the peace we had never encountered before suddenly enveloped us. Then we continually pronounced, “It is well”.

Friends, in a few minutes 2013 would be over and my mum, sisters and I can confidently pronounce, “IT HAS BEEN WELL!!!” In the past years we have had no cause to beg, borrow or live in lack. We have held firm to the power of God’s word and seen it work in our lives. Through the years, God has kept us healthy, we have recorded no accidents or death, we have all completed school, and have good shelter above our heads. We all have our independent testimonies but here are a few things God has done for me.

·         I have NEVER slept on a hospital bed (Psalm 92:10)

·         I have never encountered an accident (Psalm 92:11)

·         I am alive and well; my family is safe (Psalm 92: 16)

·         I have never been homeless (Psalm 91:1)

·         I have never lacked food (Isaiah 58:11)

·         The peace of God has always stayed with me (Psalm 127:2)

·         God has gifted me with skills and established the work of my Hands (Psalm 90:17)

·         God guided me in a strange land from 2011 to 2012 (Psalm 32:8)

·         He made me what I am today (redeemed, favoured, blessed) (Psalm 5:12)

·         In all, He has been a Father, Source and Friend

Early this morning, as I did my early morning workout, I walked pass a lady sitting on the side of the road. She was of small statue and seemed to be in her late 40s. I had noticed her the previous day covered up in a wrapper and laying on the same spot. My first thought was that she probably was an insane woman. As I briskly walked by today, I noticed a small New-Testament bible by her side. It was dusty, opened at the middle with many bent pages. I walked past with thoughts and questions brewing-up in my mind.

On my way back exhausted, I decided to pause and engage with her for a bit. “Madam, na here you sleep?” Smiling, she responded, “Yes”. I approached her and pried further, asking what the problem was. She lamented on how she sells pure water in the market and is usually being chased by the Task force, leading to her losses and hence her decision to give up and stay on the road. She spoke well, seemed sane and explained her helpless state. I asked her how she planned to fend for herself by sitting here and she responded pointing to her bible, “See my bible, I don dey pray. One day, God go answer me”.

She was confident in her speech and the acknowledgment of God’s true word. I admitted, “Na true you talk o, but you know say if God wan send you help, the person fit no find you for here.” As the conversation went on, I offered her some advice to take up a cleaning or washing job in the banks or shops nearby. We opened Psalm 90:17 with her bible and she read it out loud, seeing that God could establish her handwork. With a bit of change on me, I encouraged her to step out and dare God to bless her handwork just as His Word says.

I cannot blame this lady. I act like this sometimes and I guess some of us do too. Despite all that God has done, sometimes we go through the day feeling forgotten, seemingly trusting in the Word, and yet lamenting and recounting all our present challenges and needs. Nevertheless, after all the discouraging thoughts I recall how far God has brought me. I know I’m not where I want to be, but I’m certainly not where I was before. Many times, I have stepped out and seen God’s hand at work, shaming my fear and discontent.

Now 2014 is here. After the ‘Cross-over’ merriment today, the enemy resumes full-time tomorrow to steal our joy and remind us of how rough and tough the month of January is. The choice will be ours. Would we remember what God did in the past and declare His promises for the future or will we reason with the devil?

As for me, my testimony will always remain my confession - “IT IS WELL!!!”

I wish you all a very pleasant New Year!!!

ColourmeAmba J

..To you ..and you ..and you!

Hey Friends,

Its Christmas tomorrow!!!!!!! I am excited about it and really glad the year is gracefully coming to an end. But then, in line with this great season of love, what better way to grace today’s post than to extend BIG love and appreciation to everyone who visited ColourmeAmba Blog this year.

..You have all been amazing!!! For every click, every idea or person coloured, your comments/responses, every nod in acknowledgement of what is seen on the blog, every appreciation, critic, encouragement and anticipation, all welcoming ideas, every broadcast responded to and rebroadcasted and of course every referral to the blog,  I say a BIG THANK YOU!!! ..AND MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS YOU ALWAYS!!!

I have been so encouraged since we officially began the Tuesday weekly posts in August 2013 and really do look forward to newer flexible ideas unfolding in 2014.

Thank you once again and do have yourself A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! J

Colouring Juliana Haruna Olu!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

The Harmattan is finally here and we approach the end of the year - a time most people reflect, appreciate and of course prepare for the coming year. Resolutions are made too.. some for keeps and others dropped along the way. 

Dear Friends, this Christmas we colour a guest on the Blog who shares the story of a transformation that went beyond a mere New year's resolution. For her, a physical and emotional change has indeed become a lifelong resolution. 

Please meet Juliana Haruna Olu - A daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend. She is a goal-getter, an overcomer, and achiever. Having undergone a long, progressive weightloss journey, Juliana has become a huge motivation to friends and relatives in the last three years.  We asked her for a story and with excitement, Juliana willingly agreed to share her ordeal (and pictures) for the first time to the public to encourage someone. Please read on... 

Hello Friends,

I’m here to share my weight loss story and will try not to take much of your time. 

In 2010, after I had my second baby I added so much weight till I became about 120Kg. I was 28 years old. It was really bad for me as I couldn't wear the dresses I wanted, I suffered depression and often fell ill.

In 2011, March precisely, I looked at the mirror while standing naked and said to myself, “I can be slim, yes I can”. The next day without any form of procrastination I started taking brisk walks from Gwarimpa road in Abuja to Wuse 2, and sometimes from Garki 2 to Wuse 2. People laughed at me, calling me names like Chicken, Mr. Biggs, Fatimwa. But I didn't care because I was determined.

It was very tedious. I became a little bit discouraged when I was exercising for almost four months without seeing any visible changes in my body. It made me lose morale. I couldn't see the changes, but I was actually losing weight!!! I then proceeded to jogging, skipping, doing aerobics and carrying weights and dumbbells to train my muscles. I also took supplements, especially vitamin C 1000mg to help maintain my skin and did facial massages to keep my face muscles contoured.

Friends, determination paid!!!

Gradually, my body evolved and here's where I am today...(Apologies for the pictures' resolution).

At 81kg, I'm still determined to do more. I have 6kg more to hit my target of 75kg and intend to maintain my weight for life. My weightlessness has lifted my spirit. It has also affected my relationship positively, I have got my looks back, I'm happy, joyful and look slimmer and better than the way I looked before having kids. This has boosted my self esteem and confidence emotionally and psychologically. 

I absolutely appreciate my Husband and my dad, who encouraged me throughout the entire journey. I also appreciate my wonderful trainer, Isaac Onoja for his help and support.

My name is Juliana Haruna Olu. I have been a motivator to so many people. Some have made it through, but some are still battling. Jennifer Hudson's transformation motivated me. I encourage you to know that if I could make it, you can do better. Just try not to miss breakfast, eat little, take a lot of fruits, and as from 7pm, try to have some green tea. 

For me, the basic principle remains Exercise for life, health and wealth.

Thank you so much for reading!!! :)

I have picked a number of lessons from Juliana's story - The determination, strong will and commitment to attain her goal - a transformation which took two years. She tarried, pushed and here she is, more beautiful than before. The most impressive thing for me in her story is the simplicity of methods used, Juliana didn't need sophisticated gym equipment or a diet coach. Instead she used the traditional, inexpensive and consistent way to lose weight and built a healthy lifestyle. 

Her story drives me to the thoughts which engineered iDARE.NOTDREAD.
Here is someone who dared to do. She disliked her situation  and dared to pursue a goal. Today, she can happily tell her story.  If like Juliana, we could put zeal to any goal we want to achieve, its just a matter of time and with God on our side, we shall conquer the paths others dare to tread. I hope by reading this you have resolved to do something new and progressive. Not just for the year 2014, but for a lifetime. 

We would really like to thank Juliana for sharing her story on the Blog today. 
If you are struggling with weight issues and need some encouragement or support, Juliana could be reached by email at julianaolu@yahoo.com. A number she could be reached on is - 08055980263.

We really appreciate your clicking by today. 
For further info and enquiries on the Blog or updates on our posts, stories and upcoming events, please feel free to send an email to colourmeamba@gmail.com. You could also follow on twitter @colourmeamba.


Till we meet here again 12 Noon next Tuesday, do have yourself a splendid Holiday!!! ;)

You-Innovate | You-Create | YouWIN!!!

Hello Everyone!!! 

..So, the 2013 YouWin Business Competition is on and the first stage of applications run till December 27^th.  Now, if you are still unsure what business you would like to venture into or develop, time is not too short to look within you (your passion), or perhaps around you (your environment).

To help inspire those ideas, we decided to share the story of a young Kenyan student’s interesting innovation borne out of the need to solve a social problem. Please read on -

(Robyn Curnow, CNN) -- When Joel Mwale was hospitalized with dysentery, his doctors advised him to focus his energies on making a full recovery.

The Kenyan student had caught the illness after consuming contaminated water distributed by his municipal council during the country's annual dry season. But as he lay in bed yearning for medication, Mwale, Now 20, came upon the idea that would provide his community with access to safe drinking water and put him on the road to becoming one of Africa's most promising young entrepreneurs.

"I thought that what if this thing keeps on happening, year in, year out, what if next year the same problem happens?" he says of the illness which also affected numerous other people in his home village. "I should do something," he said to himself. "I'm not just going to sit back and watch things happen."

Upon his release from hospital Mwale invested his life savings, 10,000 Kenyan Shillings ($95), in building a borehole in his village -- a deep well that could reach the water flowing far beneath the ground. With the help of local volunteers and tradesmen, he began digging on a patch of land close to his home and before long they struck water. The team then set about putting the pipes, infrastructure and mechanical system in place that would enable its extraction.

Many years on and the project has been so successful that it still provides clean water to around 500 households. "It works in such a way that somebody has just got to turn a wheel then a lot of water comes out on the other end," Mwale says.

Galvanized by his DIY borehole success, Mwale soon set about planning bigger projects and investigating how he could bring safe and reliable drinking water to the wider Kenyan population.

He was initially held back by a mixture of financial constraints and the need to help his unemployed mother, but before long he found the spark that would bring him his next project.

  

"One day while I was walking around my community ... it was raining and I saw water running off the ground," explains Mwale. "So I said that if there's anything that I can do to be able to trap this rain water, store it in a reservoir, then be able to purify it and sell it to the public ... this can be a good idea," he adds.  

With the help of a financial loan from a local farmer, Mwale began investing in the necessary equipment and business infrastructure to put his idea into action. Within a matter of months he had founded Skydrop -- a company that would come to specialize in capturing falling rain water in a series of giant tanks before purifying and bottling it for sale on the commercial market.

The start-up has since helped Mwale bring clean drinking water to a much wider consumer base as well as providing a service that is more reliable and cheaper than those provided by the Kenyan government, he says. It has also enabled him to provide for his family, offer employment to a growing number of people in his community and win him the Azisha prize -- an African award for innovation that comes with a $30,000 prize.

Such high praise and financial rewards seemed a long way off as he lay prone on his hospital bed, admits Mwale. But he adds he hopes his success will inspire others in Africa to act upon their ideas and become more involved in different types of entrepreneurship.

 "I think there are many more youths who are sitting on their potential," he says. "But the most important thing is that in order for Africa to realize its goals ... youths and everyone will need to embrace the true spirit of entrepreneurship because it's only (through) true entrepreneurship that people are able to utilize their full potential." By taking chances and acting on their instincts, he adds, African people can help solve the myriad problems their elected representatives have so far failed to address.

..So, have you been inspired?

If you have an idea and need help in developing it into a business, help is here!!!

Akwire Global Solutions (AGS) could help you put your idea together to start-up and kick-off stage and of course assist you in packaging business proposals to secure available grants. With focus on local innovations and running of business training sessions, AGS helps inspire and train young people to create new business opportunities for themselves, hence promoting entrepreneurial development within Nigeria.

If you wish to contact AGS to begin your journey to entrepreneurship, 
Email akwiresolution@yahoo.com or call the following numbers - 

08095547749; 07082651119; 08184068894 to speak to one of the Resource persons. You could also follow @akwiresolutions on Twitter for business info, Grants and training updates..

I hope today's post was of great benefit to you. Please refer it to someone in need of such information and of course, inspiration. If you wish to make contact, please send an email to colourmeamba@gmail.com or follow @colourmeamba for helpful information and blog updates. 

Thank you so much for clicking by. See you at noon, next Tuesday! 

....Bye!!!

Sources

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/14/business/skydrop-kenya-water/

http://africaisdonesuffering.com/2013/11/r-a-w-joel-mwale/

OlamideDIY PENCIL'S IT!!!

Hello Everyone!!!

Its another wonderful Tuesday and a great opportunity to meet with you again and present what's new on the blog. I'm very much excited about this post because it highlights creativity at its very core. Today, we colour someone who leaves you stunned at what his fingers readily produce and the passion he exudes in original presentation of art. He is young, intelligent and of great talent. His name is Olamide Samuel, popularly referred to as OlamideDIY.

Words will always be words no doubt, but art I dare say speaks louder and deeper. People say a picture says a thousand words but Olamide's work speaks beyond as he brings art alive in drawing very life-like portraits of ordinary people and celebrities using pencil, paint and charcoal.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet OlamideDIY's fingers:

 

Raised in Abuja-Nigeria, the 21-year-old artist says he fell in love with pencil art at a very young age. This skill he has been able to harness through the years, beating the imagination of many. In a week, he creates an average of four pieces, never compromising the need to practice newer techniques and reinvent himself.  He admits he is passionate about creating art. He particularly chooses to work with celebrities because the audience can easily relate to them and see how accurately he is able to reproduce 'real' on paper to the very last detail.

With the launch of his new website - www.olamidediy.net his portraits can be commissioned for prices starting at USD 300 and some portraits have sold for as high as USD 2,000 a piece. Some notable clients of his include:

Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim (Nigerian Multi-billionaire); Mrs. Nike Okundaye (World renowned Batik designer); Pastor E.A Adeboye (General Overseer RCCG); Mr. Emmanuel Jegede (MD/CEO Nicon Insurance Corporation); Mr. C.K Ayo (Vice Chancellor, Covenant University Nigeria), Femi Kuti (World renowned Afro-beat Musician); David Adeleke - Davido (Music Artiste); Tolu -Toolz- Oniru (On-Air Personality); Ayo Balogun - Wizkid (Music Artiste); Damini Ogulu - Burnaboy (Music Artiste).

A graduate of Babcock University in Nigeria, 2013, Olamide studied International Law and Diplomacy and is currently underway to pursuing an MA in Security, intelligence and diplomacy at the Buckingham University, United Kingdom. His aspirations leave much to be expected in the near years. Certainly, this is some huge potential waiting to erupt.

More of Olamide's art could be viewed on YouTube. You could also follow him on Twitter and Instagram @olamideDIY to view regularly updated pencil drawings and paintings. 

Olamide could be reached through email at olamidediy@gmail.com. Please also feel free to add a comment or two about this work and subscribe for further posts. 

For updates on the blog  please follow @colourmeamba. If you wish to contact or seek information, please email colourmeamba@gmail.com.

It was really nice hanging out with you all today. A big Thank you for stopping by and of course to OlamideDIY for allowing us the opportunity to colour him on the blog today!

I hope to see you all here again same time next week!!! Bye :)

I WANT.............IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD

If you were offered an opportunity to desire something relevant in your neighbourhood and openly state it, what would that be? A nearby airport, shuttle buses, less traffic, frequent electricity, free wireless, better schools and of course the list should go on.. 

On today’s post we sure hope that list continues as you share your thoughts in noting what you desire for your neighbourhood right here. Having drawn on the Neighbourland Online Project made available and free to use anywhere in the United States (read about it here) we decided to make available this interactive platform to have us all share and offer ideas or desires for our neighbourhood, communities and country at large. 

As a public experiment turned successfull, the Neighbourhood project provides opportunity for residents, passers-by, likeminded people and organizations to connect with themselves in public space to say what they want for their communities and see what other people want too. Through such, people ask questions, gather feedback and more often than less speak with one voice.. See some examples here:

So, its your turn now.. 

LET'S HAVE YOU SHARE WHAT YOU DESIRE TO BE AROUND YOU. There are no limits. What would you like to see happen in your City, Community, Government, School, Offices and homes. The floor is open. 

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENT SECTION EITHER ANONYMOUSLY OR OTHERWISE. WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOU.

SOURCES
http://candychang.com/projects/
http://candychang.com/neighborland/